Imphal: In a concerted effort to quell unrest and dismantle militant networks, Indian Army and Assam Rifles units operating under Spear Corps, in conjunction with Manipur Police and various central armed police forces, conducted a series of targeted operations across several districts of Manipur over the past week.
The intensive operations, spanning from April 27 to May 4, focused on the hill and valley regions of Kakching, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, and Kangpokpi.
These intelligence-driven actions culminated in the apprehension of 17 active members belonging to a range of banned organizations.
The security forces also achieved a significant breakthrough in curbing the flow of illegal arms, recovering a substantial haul that included 31 assorted weapons, 14 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), a quantity of grenades, various types of ammunition, and other materials used in warfare.
Following these successes, security forces have amplified their ongoing combing and cordon-and-search operations throughout the state.
This intensified effort is specifically aimed at dismantling the pervasive extortion networks that have been contributing to the instability in the region.
Further demonstrating their effectiveness, on May 4, security personnel successfully apprehended two insurgents in a joint operation conducted at Mayang Imphal Heigum Yangbi in Imphal West district. The arrested individuals were identified as Longjam Bishochandra Meitei, known as Bungo, and Chirom Roshan Meitei, also known as Thomas.
Authorities confirmed their affiliation with the proscribed KCP (PWG) and KYKL (SOREPA) groups, and both were found to be in possession of mobile phones believed to be instrumental in their extortion activities.
In a separate incident on the same day, May 4, law enforcement officials in Imphal East district apprehended Md Maner, a 38-year-old resident of Kairang Chingya.
During the arrest, authorities recovered 34 grams of suspected heroin powder from his possession, indicating his involvement in drug trafficking.
A day prior, on May 3, security forces achieved another significant success with the arrest of an active cadre of the KCP (Apunba) from the Yairipok Laimanai area, falling under the jurisdiction of Andro Police Station in Imphal East district.
The individual apprehended was identified as Lairenlakpam Dineshchandra Singh, a resident of Thoubal district. He was allegedly involved in extortion activities and was found in possession of a 9 mm pistol, live ammunition, a mobile phone, and multiple identification documents, including a PAN card, Aadhaar card, and voter ID. These sustained operations underscore the commitment of security forces to restore peace and stability in Manipur.
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